FLOUR MILLING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 13

FLOUR MILLING CASE.

ARGUMENTS FOR DEFENDANTS

THE ADDRESSES CONCLUDED.

JUDGE RESERVES DECISION.

[BV TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] i DUNEDIN. Friday. On the resumption of the flour-milling . ease* this morning Mr. Skerrett continued j his address. He said it was no part of Distributors' scheme to remove the right to choose brands of flour, but there were | periods wlven it was impossible to supply | the brands- ordered, when these were 1 rationed. Generally speaking, there were difficulties in 1923, which disappeared in , 1924. Dunedin and Invercargill bakers ; obstinately refused to give orders in time \

to allow allocations to be made. By ! ordering after the 25th of the month these | bakers were able to obtain two months' credit. Difficulties arose mainly through accidental temporary defects, after which the flours complained about all regained a high position on the market. Mr. Solomon, addressing the Court, quoted judgments in support of the argu- i ment that the raising of prices was not j necessarily pernicious if an important in- j dustry was thereby preserved in the in- 1 terests of the public. He contended that a contract was reasonably necessary for j the protection of millers and the moling j trade, and submitted that the sche>me ori- i ginat-ed with the concurrence, and even at the suggestion, of bakers; that it started even with the knowledge and tacit approval of the Government. Distributors had made possible an equal distribution of flour. The inconveniences caused were accidental and not incidental to the scheme. The formation of Dis tributors overcame a grave menace to the flour and wheat-growing industries, and had conferred a national advantage. Mr. Myers said millers, if they had liked could have made a merger, like the breweries, which would have had all the advantages to millers of the present system, but would have resulted in great disadvantage to the public. Mr. Adadns replied and Mr. Justice Sim intimated that he would take time to consider his decision.